An operation that was also about a self-reliant India
Over the past decade, India has undergone a profound transformation across economic, technological, and strategic domains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has been central to this evolution, underpinned by his belief that India must not only be a major economic player but also a strategic and technological power in the 21st century. Under his leadership, India has emerged as a globally engaged strong self-reliant and resilient nation.
Path to industrial resurgence, innovation
When 'Make in India' was launched in 2014, it signalled a paradigm shift. India no longer aspired to remain a passive participant in the global manufacturing value chain. Instead, it set its sights on becoming a manufacturing powerhouse. The policy ushered in major reforms that were aimed at improving ease of doing business, streamlining approvals, and encouraging both domestic and foreign direct investments. Sectors such as electronics, defence and automobiles saw renewed interest, with production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes further amplifying India's attractiveness as a manufacturing hub.
In 2020, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Mission) reinforced this momentum. It was a fervent call for action to not only make India self-reliant but also become a global lighthouse in state-of the-art manufacturing, with modern and efficient value chains while integrating globally powered by its own strengths. This would also reduce India's dependence on imports in key strategic areas. It focused sharply on bolstering capacities in defence manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals. These are not just economic sectors; they are also key enablers of strategic importance and national security.
Parallel to its industrial resurgence, India has also emerged as a global innovation leader. Today, it is the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem. From fintech to agritech, health tech to edtech, Indian startups are not only solving local challenges but also competing globally. Importantly, the start-up ecosystem is beginning to make strategic contributions in defence tech, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and space technology.
India's economic transformation is bolstered by global engagements and strategic partnerships. Collaborations such as the U.S.-India Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative and the India-France road map advance cooperation in AI, quantum, and defence tech.
A focus on 'Made in India'
Operation Sindoor was a moment of reckoning for Made in India. The operation showcased India's ability to strike with precision and confidence using indigenous defence technologies. The operation not only neutralised threats across the border but also symbolised India's gradual transition from a dependent arms importer to a producer of world-class defence equipment. India's defence exports climbed up to ₹23,622 crore in FY25, reaching out to close to 80 countries, and is expected to touch ₹50,000 crore by 2029. The private sector's contribution to these exports is ₹15,233 crore.
We understand that much of the equipment used in Operation Sindoor was developed under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. This operation was, therefore, a validation of a decade-long focus on economic and technological resilience, under the Prime Minister.
In today's world, national power is increasingly defined by technological leadership. Nations that do not control future-critical technologies such as AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space systems risk long-term strategic vulnerability. India has rightly recognised this and is actively investing in these domains. Government initiatives such as the National Quantum Mission and the India Semiconductor Mission are positioning the country as a hub for advanced research and technology development. The Indian Space Research Organisation's achievements, including the Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions, reflect the maturity of India's space capabilities. However, technology leadership cannot rest solely on government initiatives. It must be a national enterprise involving industry, academia, and startups.
Indian industry remains committed to stepping up its efforts and actively collaborating with the government in this journey toward global excellence. Given the recent events, it would be important to strengthen industry's resolve to explore newer horizons to contribute even more meaningfully to building a secure and resilient tomorrow and reinforce India's position as a leader in frontier technology.
Industry is helping build hi-tech capabilities across a wide range of critical sectors such as semiconductors, clean tech, next-gen mobility, defence and electronics. Industry has significantly contributed to India's space success by providing critical components and supporting satellite and launch vehicle development. It is helping enhance India's defence capabilities by developing advanced technologies, supporting indigenous manufacturing, and collaborating on joint ventures for systems such as missiles, drones, and combat platforms.
Indian industry is playing a key role in building India's AI capabilities through investments, innovation, and collaboration. It supports initiatives such as Bhashini for AI-driven real time language translation in 22 languages and partners in FutureSkills Prime to train professionals, ensuring a skilled workforce for AI-driven growth.
Going forward, the private sector must ramp up its investments in research and development (R&D). It must also be more aggressive in forging overseas technology partnerships and joint ventures to leapfrog India's technological capabilities.
Collaborations between industry, academia and public research institutions are critical and industry should take a lead in catalysing these. Through these collaborations, not only should it contribute to R&D and innovation, but it must also contribute toward generating a steady pipeline of industry ready and trained engineers, scientists and skilled technicians who can drive innovation and manufacturing.
A lead role for India
India today stands at a defining juncture. With economic resilience, manufacturing strength, innovation-led growth, and a global outlook, India is no longer catching up — it is shaping the future. The Prime Minister's leadership has laid a robust foundation and this purposeful journey to Viksit Bharat will call for substantial industry action. As the Prime Minister has said 'Self-reliance has not only become India's policy, but it has also become our passion.' The Confederation of Indian Industry would indeed like to fuel this passion and see India rise to higher orbits in the future.
India must now aim to lead the next wave of global innovation. It must embed technological ambition into its industrial, academic and strategic fabric. The vision is clear: a strong, secure, self-reliant, and globally respected India.
Sanjiv Puri is President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Chandrajit Banerjee is Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan's 'what if China stops Brahmaputra flow' threat gets curt Himanta Biswa Sarma response
Reacting to a Pakistani official's threat that China can also halt the flow of the River Brahmaputra into India, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday described the remark as Islamabad's new "scare tactic" and said the water body grows after entering the country. He said China contributes only 30-35 percent of the river's total flow. Sarma's response came after a senior aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, reportedly said that, on the lines of India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, China can take similar measures by stalling the flow of the river, reported ANI. Himanta Biswa Sarma said Pakistan is "spinning another manufactured threat". "What if China stops the Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan's New Scare Narrative. After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India? Let's dismantle this myth -- not with fear, but with facts and national clarity: Brahmaputra: A River That Grows in India -- Not Shrinks," he wrote on X. Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Brahmaputra swells after entering India because of torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya. 'China contributes only 30-35% of the Brahmaputra's total flow, mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65-70% is generated within India, thanks to: Torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya; major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili; and additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi,' he said. "At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,000-3,000 m3/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,000-20,000 m3/s during monsoon," he added. He said the river is not dependent on upstream flow because it is a rain-fed Indian river system, which strengthens after entering Indian territory. "Even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year. Meanwhile, Pakistan, which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Waters Treaty, now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights. Let's remind them: Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source -- it is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilizational resilience," he said. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty -- which governs the flow of water from India to Pakistan -- in April in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Gujarat last week that the stoppage of water flow had made Pakistan sweat. Pakistan, meanwhile, has said that "water is the country's red line", which mustn't be crossed. 'Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony. Water is Pakistan's red line, and we will not allow any compromise on this basic right of 240 million Pakistanis,' Pakistan army chief Asim Munir said last week.
Hans India
17 minutes ago
- Hans India
Sensex, Nifty open a tad lower amid consolidation phase
Mumbai: Indian equity indices opened a tad lower on Tuesday as heavyweights like L&T and Bajaj Finance were trading in the red. At 9:24 am, Sensex was down 152 points or 0.19 per cent at 81,221.39 and Nifty was down 36.40 points or 0.16 per cent at 24,680.40. Buying was seen in the midcap and smallcap stocks. Nifty midcap 100 index was up 167.85 points or 0.29 per cent at 57,943.40 and Nifty smallcap 100 index was up 107.85 points or 0.60 per cent at 18,202.05. On the Sectoral front, auto, PSU Bank, pharma, metal, realty, media were major gainers. Financial services, FMCG and energy and pvt bank were major losers. According to analysts, after a flat opening, Nifty can find support at 24,700 followed by 24,600 and 24,500. On the higher side, 24,800 can be an immediate resistance, followed by 24,900 and 25,000. In the Sensex pack, Eternal (Zomato), Tata Steel, M&M, IndusInd Bank, Tata Motors and Asian Paints were major gainers. L&T, Bajaj Finance, Bharti Airtel, HUL, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Maruti Suzuki were major losers. Most of the Asian markets were trading in the green. Tokyo, Shanghai, Jakarta and Hong Kong were top contributors. Analysts said that during a consolidation phase, where the market moves within a range, buy on dips is the ideal strategy. 'And this strategy is working well now. With a lot of uncertainty in geopolitics, tariffs and trade the market will continue to remain volatile. Therefore, investors may persist with the strategy of buying on dips," said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited. Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) extended their selling for a second consecutive session on June 2 as they sold equities worth Rs 2,589 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) extended their buying on the tenth day as they bought equities of Rs 5,313 crore on the same day.
Hans India
17 minutes ago
- Hans India
Energy major TotalEnergies ‘committed' to support Adani Green's growth: CEO
Paris: Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of the French energy giant TotalEnergies, has said the company is committed to continuing to support the expansion of Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL). In a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal here, Pouyanne said they are committed to continuing to support the expansion of Adani Green, 'which already has 14 gigawatts of capacity,' and we 'will continue to support this growth.' Pouyanne also outlined TotalEnergies' broader Indian expansion plans, including increased energy exports from the US. Goyal also posted on X: 'Met Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies and discussed the company's investment plans for India and avenues for deeper collaboration in the renewable energy sector'. The French energy major has about $5 billion worth of investments in India, focusing on natural gas infrastructure, city gas development, and renewable energy projects, particularly solar and wind. In January 2021, TotalEnergies collaborated with Adani Green for the first time when it acquired a minority stake in the renewable energy company. Last month, Adani Green Energy Limited became the world's first renewable energy (RE) Independent Power Producer (IPP) to turn water positive across its entire operational portfolio, which exceeds a massive 14 GW capacity. AGEL achieved water positivity a year ahead of its FY26 target to set a new standard for sustainability. It is the first and only among the top 10 global companies (in terms of operational RE portfolio) to ever reach this milestone. Adani Green posted robust FY25 results, surpassing $1 billion in EBITDA, as operational renewable energy (RE) capacity grew a healthy 30 per cent to 14.2 GW (year-on-year), which continues to be India's largest. The Adani Group company reported greenfield addition of 3.3 GW in FY25, India's highest ever by any RE firm, and contributed 16 per cent of nationwide utility-scale solar and 14 per cent of wind installations last fiscal. AGEL is developing a massive 30 GW renewable energy plant at Khavda in Gujarat. This is spread over an area of 538 sq km, almost five times the city of Paris.
